CATHERINE CZERNIK

"Night and God Bless" We are deeply saddened to announce the peaceful passing of Catherine Czernik, at age 99. She lived a beautiful, full life. She leaves behind a family who love her deeply, her daughter, Natalia (Don); her son, Andrew (Elizabeth); her grandchildren, Drew (Sarah) and Katie (William); and her great-grandchildren, Paige, Luke, Zoe and Quinn; as well as siblings, Patricia Dawson (Gordon), Brian Daley (Patricia) and Betty Dobbin; and sister-in-law, Irene Daley. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 57 years, Ksenofont (Ken) Czernik; as well as siblings, Terence, Andrew, Thomas, Maire, and Margaret. Born in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, England, Catherine's love for all things British, including Quality Street chocolates and Coronation Street, stayed with her always. She was a gifted nurse in England, treating each patient with kindness and warmth. She met Ken, the love of her life, following the war and were married in 1949. Together, with Natalia (7) and Andrew (5), they moved to Canada in 1957. The family built a beautiful life on Drury Lane in Burlington. Their home was always warm and welcoming, with a bottomless cookie jar and a second to none lemon meringue pie. Always up for an adventure, Catherine and Ken traveled extensively. They loved exploring different parts of the world, always happiest when they were together. They believed deeply in the value of education and encouraged a love of learning in each generation that followed. After Ken passed, Catherine moved to Toronto to be closer to Andrew's family. When great-grandchildren arrived, she would never hesitate to curl up with them to read a favourite book, most often with a bag of candy in hand. During the pandemic, Catherine moved to Rice Point, PEI to live with Don and Natalia, where she took great joy in the island's Fish & Chips, as well as watching the sun rise and set over the Northumberland Strait. Together they spent many happy days touring the island and nights enjoying each other's company or a good movie. In her final years she moved to the Mount Continuing Care, where she was cared for with true compassion, kindness and respect by all the staff. For this her family is eternally grateful. Catherine saw beauty in everything, and she always took the time to enjoy it. She was a master of appreciating the simple pleasures in everyday things – a good dry sherry, a dutchie donut, a little extra butter on vegetables or sugar on cereal. She had a warmth that was irreplaceable and a love that was unconditional. Her family misses her terribly already, but find comfort in knowing she is together again with her beloved Ken. A celebration of life and internment will take place in Toronto in the spring.